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1/3/2018

Member News

Goodwill employee recognized by area Realtor association

SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – Donna Evans, Goodwill Manasota’s director of donation development and White Glove Service, was recently honored as the “Business Partner of the Year” by The REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM). Evans has been an active member of the group since 2010; during the association’s annual Installation and Awards Banquet in December, Evans was recognized for her outstanding contributions to RASM, the real estate industry, and to the community.

RASM Realtors subscribe to a strict code of ethics and enjoy access to a variety of programs to help them gain new skills and increase networking opportunities. Business partner members of the association who are not Realtors – like Evans – have access to similar benefits and are encouraged to serve on committees within the organization. Evans, who currently serves as the business partner committee chair, has chaired the popular Summerfest Trade Show for the past six years, served on the business partner committee for the last three years, assisted with the annual Changing of the Seasons Gala, and been involved with the RASM Spring Fling.

Evans has been with Goodwill Manasota for 18 years – 10 years as the director of titled goods and the last eight years as director of donation development. In 2009, after the death of her grandmother, she was inspired to pioneer Goodwill Manasota’s White Glove Service. While packing up her grandmother’s home, she recognized the need for a service that would come to a home to assist with the packing and removal of items no longer needed when downsizing or after the loss of a loved one. These items are donated to Goodwill – where they are sold and the proceeds support the organization’s programs and services – and donors are given an itemized donation receipt for tax purposes.

It is thanks to the White Glove Service that Evans has developed such a solid relationship with RASM over the past seven years. Often, her clientele consists of those who are selling their home or who have purchased homes already furnished with items they do not wish to keep. The partnership with RASM has been a perfect match.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Evans. “With the support of and many referrals from RASM realtors, the White Glove Service has benefited community members and Goodwill, and grown into the hugely successful program it is today.”

“We are proud of Donna for her recent and well-deserved honor,” added Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky. “She has shown great creativity and dedication during her service to Goodwill – we are fortunate to have her as a member of our leadership team.”

For more information on Goodwill’s White Glove Service, visit experiencegoodwill.org/whiteglove.

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 40 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.